Joël Lightbound
Louis-Hébert, Quebec · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, they want to talk about our record, then let us talk about it. This government's record includes $10 billion in infrastructure for hospitals, public transit and schools in Quebec. Our record includes three million Quebeckers who will receive the Canada groceries and essentials benefit.”
“Mr. Speaker, speaking of a lack of leadership, Canadians have been looking for the Conservative Party's economic plan for at least two years. No one has found it yet, because it does not exist. I would invite my colleague to look at the superdeduction in budget 2025, for example.”
“Mr. Speaker, when we listen to the Bloc Québécois, we have no trouble understanding why Quebeckers made the wise choice to send 44 Quebec members to this side of the House. Our members are firmly focused on building our economy while protecting our environment.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague. It is a pleasure to work with him on a number of issues in the Quebec City region. I would be happy to discuss this particular issue with him at a later date.”
“Mr. Speaker, to pick up on what the government House leader said, I will not apologize for acting quickly for Quebeckers and Canadians. We have demonstrated this over the past few months, such as with a $10‑billion infrastructure agreement with Quebec to build public transit and deliver the infrastructure that our cities need.”
“Mr. Speaker, in response to my colleague, I would say that what is not working is the Conservatives. They stand up and pretend to show empathy, but when it comes time to vote for concrete measures that help their constituents, they vote against them at every turn. I encourage my colleague to do some math.”
The complete record
Every one of 247 lines we hold for Joël Lightbound, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 5.
“Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Korea on the Protection of Military and Defence Classified Information”, done in Ottawa on February 25.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Bourassa for the question. Yesterday, the Minister of Finance presented a plan for a strong Canada, a more prosperous Canada where the prosperity is shared by all. Our plan includes the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which will help 12 million Canadians, who will receive their first payment on June 5. It includes historic investments in sport and in workforce training. It includes major projects that will unlock tens of billions of dollars, more than $125 billion in investments that will support 60,000 jobs across the country. In short, this is the plan of a smart, caring government. It is a prudent plan, a confident plan and a responsible plan.”
“Mr. Speaker, April 29 is a historic day. This is the first time I have heard a Bloc member say that the last thing his party wants is a squabble between Quebec and Ottawa. For 10 years, I have seen them constantly trying to start fights between Quebec and Ottawa. On this side, we want to deliver results for Quebeckers in terms of workforce training, and that is exactly what we are going to do.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. First, it is important to know that we are investing in workforce training for skilled trades because there will be a need for it, especially in Quebec. The Commission de la construction du Québec is saying that there will be a need for 80,000 workers in the next five years. Obviously, we will respect Quebec's jurisdictions. We have been doing so since 1997 with the agreement in principle on the workforce. I am very pleased to be able to work with my counterpart, Minister Boulet, to ensure that we can quickly deliver results for Quebeckers.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member for Beauce wants to talk about a decade of decisions that were bad for seniors, so let us talk about that. A decade of bad decisions included raising the retirement age to 67, as the Conservatives had proposed, which would have left tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of seniors in financial hardship. A decade of bad decisions by the Conservatives included voting against the Canadian dental care plan, which is helping 28,837 people, including many seniors in my colleague's riding. A decade of bad decisions by the Conservatives included refusing to increase the GIS by 10% for the most vulnerable seniors aged 75 and older. If I were them, I would take note of these votes and actions and reconsider them.”
“Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, as of April 1, we have been offering a solution that is unique to Quebec. Once a worker receives an application for permanent selection, their work permit is extended by 12 months. That is precisely why Quebec businesses asked us for this bridge. As for the issue of labour market impact assessments, we look forward to working with our colleagues on that matter.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. We are very aware of how important temporary foreign workers are in the regions of Quebec. That is why, on April 1, we gave Quebec the authority to extend work permits. As soon as an application for permanent selection is sent to a worker, Quebec can extend their permit by one year. That is a solution that is unique to Quebec and that meets Quebec's needs. I would like to point out that the Conservatives on the other side of the House would completely scrap the temporary foreign worker program, which would be harmful to our businesses and Quebec's economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, I see the member is all smiles. I must remind him that, according to the International Monetary Fund, Canada has the best fiscal position and the second-fastest growth in the G7. Now, it is always strange to see the Conservatives claim to be standing up for seniors when they have systematically voted against measures that directly help seniors. I will remind my colleague of one. There are 32,456 people in his riding, including many seniors, who benefit from the Canadian dental care plan, which he opposes. Maybe he should reconsider his values.”
“Mr. Speaker, now we have seen it all. The Conservatives stand up in the House and claim to defend seniors, yet they lowered the retirement age to 65, which would have left hundreds of thousands of elderly people across the country financially vulnerable. They also opposed the 10% increase in the GIS for those aged 75 and over. It is absolutely mind-boggling to see them stand up and earnestly claim to be defending seniors. On this side of the House, we will always defend seniors. We will always fight for a strong economy that works for everyone.”
“Mr. Speaker, I hold my colleague from Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata in high regard, but the International Monetary Fund is clear: Canada has the strongest fiscal position of any G7 country. Nevertheless, I find my colleague's questions interesting. What do the Conservatives consider to be inflationary spending? Would it be, as their leader suggests, depriving 39,142 citizens in his constituency of the Canadian dental care plan, which saves them up to $1,200 a year on dental visits? Is it depriving the residents of his constituency of the $87 million received by 12,000 families through the Canada child benefit? Is it cutting the pay of men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces, as the Conservatives did for so many years? We would like to know.”
“Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we believe it is possible to pursue economic development while also respecting our environmental obligations. I would like to commend the work of the Secretary of State for Nature and the entire team here who have created a nature strategy that will protect 30% of our territory. As for my colleague's question, obviously, any project will be carried out in collaboration and consultation with first nations.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague is right. We are facing strong headwinds because of the Americans' illegal and illegitimate tariffs. That is why, since day one of this government, we have been there to support forestry, steel, aluminum and auto workers, but we are not stopping there. We are diversifying our markets at an unprecedented rate: 20 agreements on four continents over the past year, on trade and security, to help our businesses discover new opportunities and pivot.”
“Mr. Speaker, what is true is that this member opposes the Canadian dental care plan, which is helping 20,545 Canadians in his riding of Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk. What is true is that this member opposes the Canada child benefit, which is sending $73 million to more than 10,000 families in his riding. What is true is that he opposes the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which helps the most vulnerable Canadians at a time when they are facing a higher cost of living, with up to $1,800 per family. Shame on him.”
“Mr. Speaker, repeating a falsehood day after day during question period does not make it true. This Prime Minister and this government have always recognized the affordability challenges Canadians are facing. That is why the first thing we did was lower taxes for 22 million Canadians. That is why one of the first things we did was eliminate the GST for first-time homebuyers. That is why we have impactful programs like the Canada child benefit and the Canadian dental care plan. I see that my colleague is rising to ask me another question. In my second answer, I will gladly remind him how many people in his riding are receiving help through these programs.”
“Mr. Speaker, I just want to point out how mind-boggling it is to hear the member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles talk about band-aids when we consider that the Canada child benefit sends $82 million a year to 13,000 families in his riding and that the Canadian dental care plan helps 25,142 people in his riding to go to a dentist. They may be band-aids for the Conservative Party, which is completely out of touch with the reality of Canadians, but they are certainly not band-aids for us on this side of the House. This is effective assistance that Canadians need.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are acutely aware of the circumstances, so much so that the government adopted a range of measures to help Canadian households that are facing a cost-of-living crisis. I could mention the Canada groceries and essentials benefit of up to $1,800 per family. Another example is the reduction of the excise tax on gas, which has reduced the price of gas by 10¢ a litre, and let us not forget the tax cut for 22 million Canadians. These are one-time measures and immediate supports, but we are not stopping there. The government is moving forward with structural programs like the Canada child benefit, the Canadian dental care plan and others.”
“Mr. Speaker, the fundamental difference between that side of the House and this side is that there is absolutely no vision for the Canadian economy on that side. Our side has implemented immediate support measures such as suspending the excise tax, cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians and providing the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, the Canadian dental care plan and the Canada child benefit. That is immediate support, but the vision is a bridge to the future, a springboard to the future. It is about building one Canadian economy. It is about major projects, such as the port in Contrecoeur and the Nouveau Monde Graphite project. It is about thousands of jobs spread across the country. It is about expanding trade corridors. It is about signing trade agreements. That is the economic vision on this side of the House.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am very proud that, as of Monday, Quebeckers are paying 10¢ less a litre for gas in Quebec and across the country. That is immediate support, but we are not stopping there. There is also the Canada child benefit. To give my hon. colleague some idea of what he is voting against, he is voting against 11,500 families and $80 million in his riding of Beauce by voting against the Canada child benefit. In addition, the Canadian dental care plan is enabling 28,837 residents of Beauce to see a dentist. He is voting against that. He cannot rise in the House and claim that he is here to stand up for his constituents.”
“Mr. Speaker, yes, we are pleased to have lowered gas prices by 10 cents today by eliminating the federal excise tax. Yes, we are pleased to have lowered taxes for 22 million Canadians. Yes, we are pleased to have introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which helps 12 million of the most vulnerable Canadians. Will my colleague ever be pleased to see $72 million flowing into his riding through the Canada child benefit, which helps 13,000 families in his riding? Will he ever be pleased that 20,000 of his constituents have access to dental care thanks to the Canadian dental care plan? Will he ever support these measures, which actually help his constituents?”
“Mr. Speaker, I think my colleague, the Minister of Justice , was very clear. The leader of the Bloc Québécois was trying to twist the facts, but they can only be twisted so far. My colleague, the Minister of Justice, was talking about a bill in the Senate that concerns the federal government's use of the notwithstanding clause. It was never about the authority of the provinces to use a power that is granted to them under the Constitution. We respect areas of provincial jurisdiction.”
“Mr. Speaker, while it is true that some things are beyond our control, including the illegitimate and unlawful tariffs imposed by the U.S. administration, some things we do control. That includes the major projects we are building here and the help that we are providing to the middle class. If we look at the figures for the past year, we see that inflation is in the bottom range of the Bank of Canada's estimate, that salary increases are the most impressive of the G7, at 4.7% year over year, and that the International Monetary Fund is predicting that Canada will post the second-strongest growth among G7 nations. That is what building Canada strong is all about.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the House that one of the first things this government did when it took office was to eliminate the GST on new homes for first-time homebuyers. We did not stop there. With Build Canada Homes, we have a plan to build at an unprecedented scale across the country. I am very proud to remind my colleague that Quebec was the first province to reach an agreement under the Build Canada Homes program. This program will make it possible to build homes across the country and increase the housing supply to ease pressure on prices, but what is truly remarkable is finally seeing the Conservatives show even the slightest interest in housing.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is true that we do not control oil prices, which have risen due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the war in Iran, as my colleague mentioned. However, what we do control is what we do to help Canadians. I am pleased to reiterate that, as of Monday, Quebeckers will see a reduction of 10¢ per litre, which will help families cope with the cost of living. Another thing we control is the votes we cast in the House. In my colleague's constituency, 32,456 of his constituents have access to the Canadian dental care plan. Why does he constantly refuse to stand up for his constituents?”
“Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the fact that we eliminated the carbon tax, which lowered the price of gas in this country by 28¢ a litre. I also find it ironic that the member opposite was part of the Quebec government that put a price on pollution with its cap-and-trade system. That is peak irony.”
“Mr. Speaker, it would be so simple and it would help people, like the 26,537 residents in her riding who have access to the Canadian dental care plan. It would be so simple for the member to support that program. It would be so simple for her to support the Canada child benefit, which allocates $67 million a year to 10,000 families in her riding. When the member says “peanuts”, she is talking about $2.4 billion going back to Canadians because we are eliminating the excise tax on gasoline. That is not peanuts. That is significant.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the announcement made by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance . It will put $2.4 billion back into the pockets of Canadians to help with the cost of living. However, we are not stopping there. We have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians, and then there is the Canada child benefit, the Canada dental plan and the grocery benefit. There are so many measures that I am having a hard time naming them all. These are all measures the Conservatives voted against. They are in no position to lecture us when it comes to the help we are providing Canadians to cope with the cost of living.”
“Mr. Speaker, he is right, and we did not stop there. We lowered taxes for 22 million Canadians. We brought in the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which can provide up to $1,800 for a family and which helps 12 million Canadians, the most vulnerable families in particular. I am very proud of our record when it comes to helping Canadians across the country, including Quebeckers, deal with the cost of living.”
“Mr. Speaker, he is right to say that a number of factors influence oil prices. He mentioned the conflict in Iran, and yes, that is part of the equation. He is also right to say that there are things that we can control. What he can control is how he votes in the House. He voted against the Canada child benefit, which has reduced child poverty in this country by 40% and has provided thousands of dollars more to families in his riding. He voted against the Canadian dental care plan, which is giving many people in his Quebec City riding access to a dentist for the first time, and he voted against a range of other affordability measures.”
“Mr. Speaker, if the member opposite wants to talk about what affects the cost of living, we could talk about the Canada child benefit, which likely helps tens of thousands of children and families in his riding. We could talk about the Canadian dental care plan, which, again, helps nearly two million Quebeckers. We could talk about the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which will provide up to nearly $2,000 per family in Quebec. We could talk about the agreement that we reached with Quebec for 37,000 day care spaces. I would remind everyone that these are all measures that my colleague voted against.”
“Mr. Speaker, one thing is certain. Honestly, I feel like the world is upside down when I hear these questions from the member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, because what he promised the people of Quebec City was nothing. Tramway projects are good for Edmonton and good for Calgary, but Quebec City should get nothing. That was the Conservatives' pledge, and it is completely unacceptable. In contrast, we have been there since day one, since 2018. It has taken him eight years to get on board. We are contributing $1.44 billion with a budget of $25 billion over the next 10 years, including $13 billion for infrastructure. We are working closely with Quebec to secure more money for transportation in Quebec, throughout Quebec.”
“Mr. Speaker, March 26, 2026, is a historic day. It is the day when the member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles finally threw his support behind the tramway project, a landmark initiative for Quebec City with economic spinoffs of $10.5 billion. It is a historic day because, just a year ago, he was campaigning, hand on heart, saying that he would take away federal funding from Quebec City residents. We are talking about $1.44 billion in funding that is set to increase. We are signing agreements with Quebec City worth $25 billion for public transit over the next 10 years, in addition to $13 billion in funding through my colleague’s infrastructure fund. I am very much looking forward to working with him on this important project.”
“Mr. Speaker, I find the Bloc's questions absolutely baffling. One thing I know about Quebeckers is that we are proud to live in a society governed by the rule of law. The fact that some Quebeckers are challenging a law before the Supreme Court is entirely legitimate. They are well within their rights to do that. On this side of the House, we respect the work of the Supreme Court, and we will let it continue to do that work.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to see that the benefit payments system is being modernized. That needed to be done. In fact, according to the Auditor General's 2014 report, the 50-year-old system was leading us straight into a wall. It was unsustainable. It cost a fortune to maintain. It is good that we are moving toward a modern system that ensures that our seniors receive their benefits on time and in the correct amounts. There are 7.7 million Canadians who depend on this system. We are moving forward and modernizing how benefits are delivered.”
“Mr. Speaker, when it comes to modernizing the payment of benefits, it is important to understand that the system we are replacing is 50 years old and was jeopardizing our seniors' old age security pensions. Changing the system was not an option. From what I am seeing, the transition is going well for 7.7 million seniors whose benefits are being delivered accurately and on time. Service Canada employees have been dedicated to chipping away at the backlog for months.”
“Mr. Speaker, what is unacceptable is that at every turn, whenever the member opposite had the opportunity to truly support his constituents through measures like the Canada child benefit, the Canadian dental care plan, a tax cut or the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, he voted against them. That is what is regrettable. What are we doing on this side of the House? We are building the strongest economy in the G7 with Canada’s defence industrial strategy, with major projects like the one at Nouveau Monde Graphite, where 1,300 new jobs have just been announced. That is what we are doing on this side of the House.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is important to understand that there are many factors affecting food prices, including international developments such as rising fertilizer prices. What we can control are the measures that we are putting in place to address affordability, namely a tax cut for 22 million Canadians. The Canada groceries and essentials benefit is helping more than 12 million Canadians and it represents roughly $1,800 per family. We are not stopping there, because there are other things within our control. Canada's defence industrial strategy will create 125,000 jobs in Quebec with investments in the Davie shipyard in Quebec City and the Valcartier military base. I hope the member for Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk will support us.”
“Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank the Auditor General for her report. We accept her recommendations. We are working on the three she has put forward, one of which is, of course, to make sure we reduce the backlog in a timely way, which is exactly what we are doing. We have reduced it by 50% over the course of the last two years. As we are transitioning to a new pay system, we are making sure we are going step by step, in incremental pieces, so that we get this transition right.”
“Mr. Speaker, I missed something there, but I want to thank the member for her important question. Public servants deserve to have their exact pay and on time. As far as the backlog is concerned, I am happy to report that we have reduced the backlog by 50% over the course of the last two years. We have learned from the mistakes over Phoenix that we need to move step by step in a cautious and a prudent way to make sure we get this transition right. We will get this transition right.”
“Mr. Speaker, quite to the contrary, what the Auditor General has mentioned is that Canadians will get value for their money and that we are moving cautiously. By the way, I want to thank the Auditor General for her report. We are accepting the three recommendation she has made to make sure that we get this right, because public servants deserve to have their exact pay, on time. That is exactly what we are moving forward on with this new pay system.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think that Quebeckers are extremely proud to live in a country governed by the rule of law, where laws can be challenged. That is what some Quebeckers are doing before the Supreme Court right now, and we are going to let the Supreme Court do its job.”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not really understand my colleague's question. First, we need to keep one thing in mind. We live in a country governed by the rule of law, where groups and citizens can challenge laws in court. Ultimately, a case can go all the way to the Supreme Court. That is what is happening with Bill 21. If the member is suggesting that the federal government would use the power of disallowance, that power has not been used since 1943. I was not even born yet. I am pretty sure he was not born yet either. We have absolutely no intention of using the power of disallowance.”
“Mr. Speaker, he spoke about action. Taking action means setting up the Major Projects Office and moving construction projects forward, in places like Contrecoeur or Montreal, for example. Last week, I was in Montreal to announce $459 million in loans to Nouveau Monde Graphite to support 1,300 jobs in Saint-Michel-des-Saints. That is what action looks like. Action means uniting the Canadian economy to generate economic benefits and boost productivity across the country. Action on affordability means cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians. While this government is taking action, MPs on the other side continue their stonewalling day in, day out, which is unfortunate.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question about the Auditor General's report on the transition to a modern pay system, namely Dayforce. I want to thank the Auditor General for her report in which she notes that the transition is going well and that progress is being made. She has recommendations and we accept those recommendations. She also says that Canadians will get value for what is being invested in this new system. It is the opposite of what was done with Phoenix. We have learned from past mistakes. We are proceeding gradually to ensure that the transition is done properly and that public servants get paid on time and accurately.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her question. As she knows, our position is clear and always has been. We are the party of the charter; we will defend the charter, and we will do so before the Supreme Court. Now, as the Minister of Justice said, the case is before the Supreme Court and, ultimately, the fate of Bill 21 will be decided by the Supreme Court justices. It would be inappropriate for us to comment at this stage, and our position has been clear for a long time.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am so glad my opposition colleague asked us that question, because it gives me an opportunity to point out that Quebec was the first province to sign on to Build Canada Homes with my seatmate, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure . Already, hundreds and thousands of housing units are being built across the country, including in Quebec. I am very happy about that, and I encourage my colleague to watch developments closely because we will build ambitiously, rapidly and efficiently.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by congratulating the Bloc Québécois members, who finally agreed to attend a technical briefing that I believe will help them understand this issue. With regard to the Cúram system, the direct costs of the project are lower than expected. It is important to remember one thing: 7.7 million Canadians are receiving their OAS payments through Cúram. What the Bloc Québécois is proposing is completely unacceptable. It would leave millions of seniors to rely on an archaic system that is doomed to obsolescence, that is vulnerable and that put the financial health and security of millions of seniors across the country at risk.”
“Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to my colleague, I am saddened to see him rise in the House when, on previous occasions, he failed to defend the interests of his constituents, protect them from the rising cost of living and fight for affordability and their purchasing power. I am thinking of the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, for example, which helps 12 million Canadians, including three million Quebeckers. That is $1,800 per family for the most vulnerable families. There is also the increase to the Canada child benefit and a tax cut for the middle class. However, it is not just that. This is also about building major projects, such as the expansion of the Port of Saguenay, which creates good jobs for the economy in my colleague's riding and for Quebec's economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are able to deliver old age security benefits to 7.7 million Canadian seniors using Cúram. According to what the Auditor General said in 2014, the old system had reached the end of its useful life. If this change had not been made, it would have jeopardized the benefits of 7.7 million Canadians. Yes, there are cases that need to be dealt with, and they are being dealt with urgently by my colleague, the Minister of Jobs . We want to ensure that all seniors in Canada receive their benefits on time in a secure and reliable manner.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like set the record straight in terms of what we are hearing from the other side. Repeating something day after day in question period does not make it true. To keep it simple for my colleague, according to all of the serious and rigorous analyses that have been conducted, the impact of the industrial carbon tax is virtually zero. The Conservatives are telling us that there are things that we cannot control and things that we can. One of the things that they should control is how they vote. They voted against a tax cut for 22 million Canadians. They voted against the Canada child benefit, which has reduced child poverty by 40% in Canada. They voted against the grocery benefit, which will give families about $1,800 a year this year. They should change their approach and support this government's affordability measures.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. However, I see that there are some really far-fetched assumptions being made here. I invite him to attend a technical briefing to fully understand what this is about. The Bloc Québécois has been talking about about the Auditor General. In 2014, the Auditor General sounded the alarm, saying that the 60-year-old system was a recipe for disaster and that the country needed to modernize the way benefits are distributed. That is exactly what we did, and 7.7 million seniors are now getting their benefits on time, in a reliable and secure manner. That is our commitment to seniors. The status quo and the Bloc's inaction are completely unacceptable.”